Kevin Harper’s news and reflections ... from an Englishman in rural Australia

A premiere performance of Peace We Are Singing — new lyrics by Kevin Harper, set to the beloved tune Morning Has Broken, arranged especially for the voices of The Ballarat Singers. Debuted live at the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Ballarat, during the Ballarat Heritage Festival 2025.This original piece celebrates unity, calm strength, and the hope for peace, all with the simple beauty of singing together — look out for the strong, lyrical line written for the often-underappreciated altos.

Here is the first of what may be many interviews with Paul GordonSmith as we explore the proposed changes at the Ballarat Railway Station. The current station, Heritage listed, and opened on 11 April 1862, does not comply with current disability access legislation. The station is only one year younger than Paul's family home in North Ballarat built in 1863. I am looking at how to attach Paul's written submission, mentioned in the interview, to this link .... stay tuned! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Kevin joins Ballarat's Radio 3BA fm, live in the studio, for a discussion about the 2024 Ballan Autumn Festival --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Kevin is joined by Robyn Antoine on Ballarat's 99.9fm Voice FM, being interviewed by Edwina Williams about the latest concert from Enduring Classics, A Touch of Spring. The concert is at 2:30pm on Saturday the 9th of September at the Ballarat Anglican Cathedral, in Lydiard Street South. Tickets are via Eventbrite or at the door. $30, and $25 for pensioners and concession card holders. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

For An Englishman Downunder , Fiona Watson interviews Ballarat based Tenor Jason Wasley, a principle performer for the Enduring Classics concert 'A touch of Spring. Held at Ballarat Anglican Catherdal, 2:30pm on Saturday 9 September. Australian tenor Jason Wasley received a scholarship in 1991 to attend the Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio in Melbourne.  In 1993, Jason won the Herald-Sun Aria, which enabled him to further his studies in Europe.  The following year he represented Australia in the finals of the Placido Domingo World Operalia Competition in Vienna.  Jason then worked as an apprentice soloist with the Victorian State Opera, undertaking the roles of Sciarrone and The Gaoler in Tosca, Juan in Don Quichotte, Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia and Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore. After study at Bertrand Russell Institute of Languages in Italy, Jason moved to London where he was accepted into the National Opera Studio. There, he studied and performed in the roles of Figaro in The Barber of Seville, Silvio in Pagliacci, the title role in Billy Budd, Prince Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia, Sid in Albert Herring, Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro, the title role in Eugene Onegin, Schaunard in La bohème and Belcore in L'Elisir d'Amore.  He worked for the Glyndebourne Festival and Touring opera companies performing in the chorus and covering the roles of the Second Prisoner in Fidelio, Patrocle in Iphigénie en Aulide, Morales in Carmen, the title roles in Eugene Onegin, Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni.  Jason has also worked with the Welsh National Opera's education programme, which included performing Don Giovanni and Escamillio from Carmen. He sang the Boatswain in H.M.S. Pinafore for D'Oyly Carte Opera, Figaro in The Barber of Seville for British Youth Opera, Peter in Hansel and Gretel for Clonter Opera and Belcore in L'elisir d'amore for Pegasus Opera Company.  He also sang Kullervo in the British premiere of Aulis Sallinen's Kullervo.  For Melbourne Opera, he has performed Papageno in The Magic Flute and Marullo in Rigoletto. For OzOpera, he sang Marcello in La bohème and Dancairo in Carmen. For Promac Productions he performed the roles of Pooh-Bah in The Mikado, The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance and Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore.  In 2006, he moved from baritone to tenor and sang the tenor solos in Verdi's Requiem for the Melbourne Chorale, the roles of Don José in Carmen and Cavaradossi in Tosca for Melbourne Opera, the title role in Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex for Victorian Opera and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for OzOpera's national tour. Most recently, Jason Wasley has sung Alfredo in Opera Australia's touring production of La traviata, the tenor solos in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Sydney Philharmonia, Florestan in Fidelio, Max in Der Freicschütz and the title role in Rienzi for Melbourne Opera, Verdi's Requiem with Sydney University Chamber Choir and Rodrigo in Otello for State Opera of South Australia. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Ballarat Choral Concert 2023 17 combined choirs sing the closing number "Hearts around the World" - unrehearsed as a mass choir - first time singing togeather. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

leasd only --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Another interview with a member of the Ballarat Singers. Robyn tells of her entry into singing and what being a member of the Ballarat Singers means to her. She joins Kevin, along with her husband Michele, at the George Hotel Ballarat, just before the Monday choir practice in Camp Street. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Robyn joins Kevin, along with her husband Michele, at Ballarat's The George Hotel for a quick interview before the Monday choir practice for the Ballarat Singers. The 'George' is located in the heart of historic Lydiard Street, opposite the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery B.FAG. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

The Ballarat Singers and The Little Brass Band once again join together to present a free concert of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols at the Midland retirement Village this coming Saturday from 6pm. Here are some reminders for the choir along with a new recording of a piece the choir are rehearsing for later in the year. This recording has been produced for The Ballarat Singers by Saint Dunstan's House Press through 'an Englishmen Douwnunder'. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Interview with Steve Martin for Ballan autumn festival and the ‘around the world in 80 days' concert during the festival weekend. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

The Ballarat Singers and the Little Brass Band take us on a journey around the world in 80 minutes via music, performance and song. As part of the #BallanAutumnFestival theme of SuperHeroes, we will travel around the world at Superhero speed visiting well known places and experiencing their culture through the performance and audience participation. Saturday 18 March, 2pm at the Ballan Mechanics Institute, Inglis Street, Ballan Tickets: available from EVENTBRITE or $10 at the door, under 14 free. SMS to 0430 453 272 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-harper1/message

Brett McDonald from Ballarat Radio Station 3BA discusses the Festival in Ballan happening Sunday 13 November from 9am in the Main Street of Ballan. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kevin-harper1/message

Kevin puts a call out for tenors and basses to assist the Ballarat Singers during these uncertain times with colds, flu and Covid cases on the rise….

The number with which we will end our Christmas in July Concerts

An arrangement of Chestnuts Roasting by TLBB which will one of the opening numbers at our Christmas in July events.

Kevin is interviewed by Steve Martin of ABC radio Ballarat for the upcoming him festival as part of the Ballarat Heritage Weekend Sunday, 29 May, 2:30 pm at St John's Anglican church in Creswick.

Last week the Ballarat Singers gathered - thanks to Megan and Bryan - at Cinema Eureka to see the video of the choir sining at Unwin's winery last December. The movie, produced by Bryan, was fantastic and we all had a great time - I tried to get some interviews before and after the screening. There were a few technical problems with the interviews so here are two of them with more to follow next week. Check out the Ballarat Singers on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/ballaratsingers

Progressing the Ballarat Sin-Gers under lockdown and C19 restrictions

Kevin chats with Fi about the issues confronting public singing in a Covid-normal scenario and the expectation of PC language in the words of public performances. Kevin is in the Ballarat studio, Fi is at her Sturt St home.

Interview (COVID safe via modern technology) with Fiona Watson

Episode One

After thunder and lightning overnight, many trees down on the roads there are still opportunities for storms during today

Weather for Ballarat at lunchtime

Ballan goes PINK to raise awarness of and money for the McGrath Foundation Breastcare Nurses.

Open meeting re the Council’s decision to stop the funding and engagement of Visit Ballarat.

Winding down the weekend with Gerry Egan at Gordon Bleu

The week that was and the week ahead, plus is anyone missing a Pusey?